REVIEW: NEXILVA - Defile The Flesh Of Innocence

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Nexilva, a six-piece beast from Sunderland in North East England. They previously released a full length last year titled The Trials of Mankind which was a great first impression in my eyes but now they are back with Defile The Flesh Of Innocence. You can hear that Nexilva has progressed majorly in this seven tracks of technical brutality.

Defile The Flesh Of Innocence begins with the 'Intro' which sounds to be a sound track but is the perfect eerie beginning to the next heavy track which happens to be the self titled track. You hear the technicality instantly with fast paced guitars and face-melting drums. The vocals are in your face instantly. This track also wouldn't be complete without a bone-crushing breakdown and flawless solo work. The following track 'Decades of Suffering Pt. 1' which continues the onslaught of heavy darkness. Not one moment in this track are you focused on just one instrument let alone one part. With guitars each doing mind-bending riffs and the drums just doing light speed blasts at parts, its unbelievable. 'Shadows Rising' gives you a break from what sounds like the apocalypse approaching with what sounds like the calm before the real storm with a clean guitar part and rain and thunder in the back before going into what I thought was one of the most capturing riffs in the album. 'Enthrallment' plays after opening the storm gates again with vocalist's Gary King's bellowing lows and extreme highs and once again more technical and heavy floods. This track also has one the most spine-tingling breakdowns in it that just makes you want to break something. 'Decades of Suffering Pt. 2' picks up after and begins with guitar work that is out of this world followed by a breakdown that once again adds to the heaviness this band has taken by the throat. The last track 'Vendetta' features a special guest and one of my personal favorite bands, The Juliet Massacre. This track is probably the heaviest of all the songs because the drums are just unmatched to any other and the vocals have so many ranges with the help of The Juliet Massacre that you will think this is a deathcore mashup dream come true.

Once again, the vocals on this were provided by Gary King with the help on the last track by The Juliet Massacre. Gary's vocals were spot on at every part in every track. You really feel the power behind them through his lows that seem to come from the bowels of hell to his highs that are ear shattering. The guitar work is not your usual lineup but is brought together by three guitarist; Connor Jobes, Simon Atkinson, and Andy Mallaby. It's hard enough as one or two guitarists writing and recording and performing such technical music but they have managed to push the bar higher by working together as three. It has really paid off because you can really feel the solidity in sound with the wall that they have put up of mastery guitar excellence. Ryan Banks brings the bass tones into this which you can truly feel as if you are being possessed all through your body. Last but not least, Jon Simpson's drumming was both technical and on time. His blasts are just insane. At some parts in the songs like 'Decades of Suffering Pt. 1' for example, you would think that he's not real and that this is a computer but it's not, Jon has just mastered the art of technical brutality.

With the perfectly blended art of technical death metal and today's deathcore, Nexilva has gone far beyond the norm and brought this release to show the world that they are here to stay and anyone who gets in their way, I feel sorry for you.

MY VOTE:

5.0/5.0

REVIEW: CROWN THE EMPIRE - Limitless

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It is an honor to review this release since I personally have been eager to hear this. The Dallas, TX six-piece have traveled a road that some of us may remember bands like Nevea Tears and Scary Kids Scaring Kids have paved with synths and keyboards overlapping a familiar post-hardcore sound. With bands now emerging like Scarlett O'Hara, Woe Is Me, and Abandon All Ships, some may say there is no individuality in this popularized genre. They obviously have not heard Crown The Empire.

Limitless is Crown The Empire's new debut EP which if you have a gander at their Facebook page, has been long awaited by loyal fans. The band takes its sound from today's post-hardcore scene but adds unique twists and solid song structure to ensure that they will not be just another clone.

The track 'The Glass Elevator (Walls)' captivates you with what sounds like a crowd screaming, "Break down your walls tonight, we're here to sing for you. Tear down your walls tonight, we're here to scream for you." A perfect start already with solid melody, haunting keyboard work and Andy Leo's captivating singing which has greatly improved from past demos. 'Breaking Point' flows right after and for those who previously heard this band know this from a previous demo. The song sounds fuller, cleaner and much better overall re-recorded. The track is full of catchy hooks and overlapping but not overbearing electronics. The next song 'Wake Me Up' is another track from a previous single that is my personal favorite and the band yet again has raised the bar with the re-release of the track. The electronics are more present on this version but not too overpowering. The vocals are much more clearer and defined as well as musically. 'Johnny Ringo' is a new track featured on Limitless which as well is a very intriguing song because it starts with a haunting melody that almost sounds out of place at first but this track probably is the band's most progressive track. 'Voices' follows with a cool electronic intro but goes into heavy breakdown and changes again into a clean hook. another catchy track that is sure to get stuck in your head. The title track 'Limitless' features Make Me Famous frontman Dennis Shaforostov as a guest. The track does not disappoint with a great mix of brutality and beauty. The closer 'Lead Me Out Of The Dark' is the clean finisher. Just clean singing and a piano which ends with the band's heart and soul out there for everyone.

The guitar work by both Brandon Hoover and Bennett Vogelman shows their range in sound in not just song by song but in every song, structure by structure. The keyboards and electronics by Austin Duncan is by far the best out of all the band's music thus far. Each part is as if he transitions with emotion where some parts make you want to move and jump around and others make you just want to listen closely and quietly. The bass by Hayden Tree is felt like a truck through your house if you are like me and blasted this right away with the bass nob all the way up. Brent Taddie's drumming was precise and not just following every note but had his own sound and view on each part.

This band has found their sound and has done an amazing job putting it into this release. Not one track sounded repetitive nor was there a moment that I wanted to walk away or skip a part. Each moment was like a new emotion or thought. For anyone considering ordering this, I suggest it immensely because not many bands nowadays can do what Crown The Empire has learned early on.

MY VOTE:

5.0/5.0

REVIEW: A WANTED AWAKENING - Rebirth EP

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When we think of rebirth, we think of new beginnings without a past. The melodic deathcore five-piece outfit from Lowell, MA will take you through a musical travel of a world of tortured souls, serial arsonists and ancient evils as well as the downfall of lost civilizations.

The band has blended beautifully the mix of death metal heard through their references of The Black Dahlia Murder and Through The Eyes Of The Dead as well as the complexity of bands such as Between The Buried And Me and Protest The Hero.

The release starts with the track 'Flameborn' which right away jumps into ferocious technicality and heaviness. With clean vocals overlapped with otherworldly highs and lows with guitar riffs of high originality. Not one part of this song is repetitive or boring to the listener. 'Misanthrope' follows with a nice melodic intro which leads into heaviness but still conveys the melodic sound. Another captivating track. 'The Massacre to Come' seems to be the track that is the heaviest as it starts with blast beats and fast guitar work. The vocals seem to pierce through you with bellowing lows and screeching highs which as noted have the familiarity of The Black Dahlia Murder while having their own sound. The track 'Spiders' gives the listener another breather with a quite melodious and beautiful intro before going into a unique riff that I can promise will haunt you. The final track 'The Perseus Veil' is as they say, "best saved for last" since this track seems to show the band's true skill. The timing is precise and the song is very catchy. This one is a crown mover and a crowd pleaser.

The guitar excellence by John Tree and Derek St. Martin work perfectly together as if complimenting each others work. Not one part lacks originality and not one moment are you bored thinking you may have heard something similar somewhere else. The drum work by Evan Carney is beyond what some drummers of well known bands can play. His timing is impeccable and precise. Constant and flowing are his fills. Jason York's bass work is hard to hear but you can hear his virtuosity under headphones or with a close ear. The vocals provided by frontman Rick Hardy is not your usual death metal vocals. His range is not to be found on a scale but of his own. As I have noted before, the close resemblance of The Black Dahlia Murder and older Through The Eyes Of The Dead is heard but once again, not exact so his work is unique.

This release was very pleasing and I can see this band going far. Please keep lookout for their future releases and this EP is highly recommended!

MY VOTE:

4.9/5.0

REVIEW: GRAVEWORM - Fragments Of Death

The Italian melodic black/death metal group Graveworm released Fragments of Death October 21st through Nuclear Blast Records. The album has been noted to be a mixture of the best of the last four releases as well as some old school roots and also noted to be a darker release than the past albums.

The album's main topic if you have not picked up on it yet is death in its thousand faces as reflected in the album art and title. Each track represents a way to die. As stated by vocalist Stefano Fiori, "For example, song six is about the happenings in Japan. Other songs are about war, which sadly still exists in the world these days." The album is a true concept of what we think about constantly, all the death and dying in the world.

Now musically, this album is a dark, mystical and melodic masterpiece which follows perfectly after Diabolical Figures from 2009. The album delves more into the melodic death metal realm but is relished with a bit black metal and nineties gothic metal. Within the first two tracks, 'Insomnia' and 'Only Death In Our Wake', Graveworm unleashes a brutal onslaught. You may think right away that this is just a ferocious and heavy death metal album until 'Absence of Faith' which is mid-paced with piano and a nineties gothic/doom metal feel. Each song as well has variety as heard in 'Living Nightmare' which has really fast rhythms but also has an epic touch. 'The World Will Die In Flames' may have an instrumental start but goes straight into blastbeat ferocity. The track 'Anxiety' as noted before, is dedicated to the victims of the disaster in Japan. This track we do hear female vocals but not a sweet gothic lady, we hear a firm woman. A video has been shot for 'See No Future.' The track is heavy and fast but turns to slower paces. A very catchy track, probably the album single. The instrumental track 'The Prophecy' has a mysterious and mystical touch to it as you can hear an oriental touch with the sounds of violin. 'Remembrance' and 'Where Angels Do Not Fly' both have guitar work in vain of Amon Amarth. 'Old Forgotten Song' in between gives air to those who need it. The special edition release features an old favorite newly recorded titled 'Awake.'

All tracks were recorded with the melodious guitar skills of Thomas Orgler and Eric Righi as well as the atmospheric keyboard melodies by Sabine Mair. This album is sure to please any metal fan so go out and have a listen.

MY VOTE:

4.8/5.0

REVIEW: THE BROWNING - Burn This World

I personally have been wanting to review Burn This World since it's release on October 4th through Earache Records. This is the band's debut full length (the band did release a self-titled "full length" which was later released as two EPs).

The Browning, hailing from Dallas, Texas started originally as a side project by vocalist Jonny McBee became a full project last year. The Browning has to be one of the most adventurous and fresh sound right now. The band has taken two genres and mixed them in ways no other bands have dared to even try. With influences in trance and electronic music, they have blended metal and electronic music perfectly.

Burn This World features many favorites from the two EPs released before and some new songs everyone will be blown away with. Each and every track has a different feel and you may not hear any major guitar leads or sweeps or anything of that nature but the synths make up for it in many ways. With string arrangements in tracks like "Burn This World" and "Bloodlust", dark piano pieces in "Living Dead" and "Forgotten", and even dubstep in "Ashamed".

Aside from just the synths and sounds in the album, recently departed guitarist Brian Crevey stepped up the creativity level in his guitar work in what was once tracks that were breakdown-centric as heard in tracks like "Burn This World" and "Not Alone". Noah Robertson aka "Shark" brings his flawless drum work to the table with punchy kick and endless flowing fills. Jonny McBee's vocals have progressed immensely with his range being more defined making each part have an actual impact. Also, in tracks such as "Ashamed", Jonny screams "THIS IS WHO I WAS BORN TO BE, THIS IS WHO I WILL ALWAYS BE" which makes you feel connected to the band as if you are at one with everyone else who understands and feel these words. This is one of many memorable parts you will find yourself screaming along to.

Last but not least is the big surprise at the end of the album. For old fans of The Browning who know the band's first demo, they brought back a really old track titled "The Sadist". This track is an old favorite which will show new fans how the band started. Probably one of the million great things about this album.

This album may not be everyone's cup of tea but no one can deny the uniqueness and diversity in sound that The Browning has so perfectly found. This personally is my favorite album of the year. I see big things for this band in the near future.

MY VOTE:

5.0/5.0

REVIEW: BEHOLD OBLIVION - Witness

Not often are band's hard to describe. They all usually fit in some sort of catagory but Boston's Behold Oblivion has set fire to all borders. The band's latest release and debut album Witness defies all odds and beliefs.

The album jumps straight into technical greatness with the first track "Ascendance." The track has clean vocals and a melodic part which fits perfectly and blends well. The album altogether continues to blend like one epic track with virtuous guitar work, mind-bending drums and just otherworldly vocals. Each track is different in its own but some choice tracks such as "No Ones Left" and "Witness" define the albums greatness. The track "No Ones Left" has that much sought after technical djent meets death metal sound with perfect timing that not many bands can claim.

Witness is in my eyes, the perfect debut album for a band. A lot of the time a band will have an album and some tracks do seem to be just fillers that were added into an album but Witness does not seem to be the norm. The whole album, every track, sounds fully thought out and it is truly hard to pull out a single favorite. The band does not just pull out the usual scales and guitar tricks but truly puts thought and effort into their sound. Beyond Oblivion has taken music to great heights with this release and hopefully this band will be doing a lot more in the near future.

With all of this said, be sure to go out and give this album a listen. The much sought after technicality needed nowadays in the deathcore genre has been reached with this band.

MY VOTE

5.0/5.0

REVIEW: FINAL SACRIFICE - Aspirations & Endevours

While constantly looking out for new music, a deathcore band from Poznan, Poland catches my eye. The band is called Final Sacrifice. I have been following their music since their debut self-titled EP in 2009. They released a single titled "Affected" last year but now, they have brought chaos upon us with their latest release Aspirations & Endeavors.

The EP starts with the track "Aspirations" which makes you feel as if you are caught out in a storm. You hear thunder and rain then the band comes in hard and strong. This track would definitely make you want to bounce even soaked out in the rain. The single "Affected" is re-recorded and follows right after and I must say this track is definitely a good one. Catchy riffs, technicality and fast-paced drum work all in this track. "Slain by Winter" comes on next and starts of with catchy riff right away. Nothing is ever what you would expect in each song so far. This song has another bone-crushing breakdown that makes you want to just get up and break everything near you. Following after is the track "(I Am) The War" which really shows you right away that this band does not screw around. You can feel the ferocity in this track. "Curse Upon Your Name" is up after and this track begins right away with a breakdown that is not only unique but technical and covered in heavy brutality. The track "Endeavors" also starts with a catchy, heavy breakdown as well but never overloaded with the same, mundane breakdown. The final track "Send Forth Your Hope"  is the perfect closer track because the band really did save the best for last.

Final Sacrifice really took time to show their talents and put a lot of effort into their release. The band has definitely shown growth from their debut release. If you like heavy, earth shaking breakdowns, ferocious vocals, complex guitar work and technical drums, this band is something you should check out. We don't usually think of Poland as a place to find a band like Final Sacrifice but Europe keeps proving that they can produce such amazing bands as Final Sacrifice. This band is one you all should keep an eye out for!

MY VOTE:

5.0/5.0

REVIEW: TAKE CHARGE: Pre-Contact: The Extermination Theory

In a genre that seems to be spewing out a new band daily and all sounding the same, we find a gem in the dirt. This gem is called TAKE CHARGE!


Take Charge! is an exhilarating, in your face deathcore band hailing from Clearwater, Florida and their debut release Pre-Contact: The Extermination Theory definitely the kick in the teeth debut a band should have. The EP begins with the track "Flies" which already starts in your face with a bone-crushing breakdown. The band does not stop there either. Already within just the first track you will hear some technical drum work by Ed Peña as well as the chaotic but perfectly syncopated guitar work by both Jake Mess and Neal Minor. Taylor Foster brings some of the heaviest bass lines thrown down on tracks this whole year. The vocals by Jeff Wester are unbelieveable. He throws them out with such depth and the high screams are bone-chilling.


Every track does have a certain heaviness that seems to build as the EP keeps going as if progressing further into your darkest dreams. You will notice a pattern in some tracks such as "Flies" and "Cancer Garden," the lead guitarist adds his own eeriness to the song by playing a dark riff over the breakdowns. It's something that one could definitely want to smash another's face to.


With this said, I suggest checking out the track "Cancer Garden" because this track really shows all their musical talents into one track but all tracks are good. Have a listen and check out this band. Hopefully this will lead to an amazing full length? Expect much from this Florida band.

MY VOTE:

5.0/5.0